G

30 June, 2016

This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It

was prepared by AFRICA RISING-Tanzania in compliance with the terms and conditions of the Contract.

AFRICA RISING - Enhancing partnership among Africa RISING,

NAFAKA and TUBORESHE CHAKULA Programs for fast tracking

delivery and scaling of agricultural technologies in Tanzania

Quarterly Progress Report (01 April 2016–30 June 2016)

AFRICA RISING - Enhancing partnership among Africa RISING,

NAFAKA and TUBORESHE CHAKULA Programs for fast

tracking delivery and scaling of agricultural technologies in

Tanzania

Contract No. MTO 069018

IITA – International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE REPORT

(1 April 2016 – 30 June 2016)

Thematic Implementing Partners:

Agricultural Research Institute, Dakawa – Rice

AVRDC – Vegetables

CIMMYT – Maize

IITA – Postharvest and Nutrition

COVER PHOTO

Happy farmers in Kiteto district after getting a good crop through using improved maize varieties

and good agronomic practices promoted by the project

DISCLAIMER

The author’s views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United

States Agency for International Development or the United States government.

i

CONTENTS

Acronyms and Abbreviations .................................................................................................................................... ii

Tables ............................................................................................................................................................................ iii

Figures ........................................................................................................................................................................... iii

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................ 1

2 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................................. 2

2.1 Project description ....................................................................................................................................... 2

2.2 Geographic Zones of Influence ................................................................................................................. 3

3 IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESS ............................................................................................................... 6

3.1 Project Management .................................................................................................................................... 6

3.2 Training of Trainers ..................................................................................................................................... 7

3.3 Training activities for farmers .................................................................................................................... 8

3.4 Farmers’ Field days ..................................................................................................................................... 11

4 ACHIEVEMENTS AND RESULTS........................................................................................................... 14

5 PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES ............................................................................................................ 15

6 PLANNED ACTIVITIES FOR QR4, Year 2 ......................................................................................... 17

6.1 General ......................................................................................................................................................... 17

6.2 Maize team ................................................................................................................................................... 18

6.3 Rice team ...................................................................................................................................................... 18

6.4 Vegetables team .......................................................................................................................................... 18

6.5 Post-harvest management and nutrition ............................................................................................... 18

7 SPECIAL ISSUES .............................................................................................................................................. 18

8 CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES ......................................................................................................................... 19

8.1 Gender integration ..................................................................................................................................... 19

8.2 Behavior change communication ............................................................................................................ 20

8.3 Environmental compliance and natural resource management ....................................................... 21

8.4 Monitoring and evaluation ........................................................................................................................ 21

9 ANNEXES ............................................................................................................................................................ 22

Annex 1: Performance against PMP indicators ........................................................................................... 22

Annex 2: Success stories ................................................................................................................................. 24

ii

Acronyms and Abbreviations

Africa RISING Africa Research in Sustainable Intensification for the Next Generation

APEX Agricultural Policy and Environmental Extender model

ARI-Dakawa Agricultural Research Institute, Dakawa

ARI-Hombolo Agricultural Research Institute, Hombolo

AVRDC The World Vegetable Center

CIAT International Center for Tropical Agriculture

CIMMYT International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center

CRS Catholic Relief Services

DAICO District Agricultural, Irrigation and Cooperatives Officer

FtF Feed the Future

ICRAF World Agroforestry Center

IITA International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

IPM Integrated Pest Management

NAFAKA Tanzania Staples Value Chain Activity (USAID FtF Project)

SWAT Soil Water Analysis Tool

TOSCI Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute

TUBOCHA Tuboreshe Chakula (USAID FtF Project)

VBAA Village-based Agricultural Agent

ZOI (FtF) Zone of Influence

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Tables

Table 1: Participants of the vegetable seed multiplication training in Manyara and Dodoma regions ........ 7

Table 2: Training participants for the various project components ................................................................... 8

Table 3: Field day participants for the maize and rice activities ........................................................................ 11

Figures Figure 1: Africa RISING – NAFAKA partnership project target districts ......................................................... 3

Figure 2: Africa RISING – NAFAKA partnership project vegetable demo sites ............................................. 3

Figure 3: Africa RISING – NAFAKA partnership project maize demo sites .................................................... 4

Figure 4: Africa RISING – NAFAKA partnership project postharvest technologies demo sites ................. 4

Figure 5: Africa RISING – NAFAKA partnership project rice demo sites ........................................................ 5

Figure 6: Africa RISING – NAFAKA partnership project SRDs .......................................................................... 5

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1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

During Quarter 3 of Year 2 of the project implementation period, the Africa RISING-NAFAKA-

TUBOCHA partnership and scaling project accomplished a number of activities. A review meeting was

held in April in Arusha and an M&E training session for 18 field staff was held in Morogoro. The project

team is also involved in preparations for Nane Nane agricultural show preparations that will be held in

Morogoro. The rest of the accomplishments are briefly presented in the subsequent parts of this section.

The maize team trained 5,689 farmers (2,812M, 2,877F) in good agronomic practices (land preparation,

fertilizer types and their management, nutrient deficiency, row planting, weed management and record

keeping). In Kongwa and Kiteto an additional component of soil and water conservation using tied-ridges

and rippers was covered. For the rice component, 555 farmers were trained (215M, 340F), focusing

on appropriate site selection, and field and fertilizer management especially the management of salt-

affected and calcaric soils. For vegetables, 325 farmers were trained (138M, 187F) in Iringa and

Morogoro on the establishment and management of nurseries. Trainees were also provided with seed

kits and other materials to facilitate the use of the materials. In addition, 73 farmer leaders in Manyara

and Dodoma regions were trained (32M, 41F) in vegetable seed production. The postharvest team

initiated activities in Kilolo, Kilosa, and Mbozi districts. Twenty-seven farmer trainers and community-

based health workers (13M, 14F) were trained in nutrition aspects. In addition, 44 farmers (25M, 19F) in

Mbozi district were introduced to postharvest technologies (shellers, collapsible driers, and PICs bags)

as a means of encouraging more farmers to appreciate the importance of postharvest management and

their subsequent adoption and use.

A total of 1,765 farmers (939M, 826F) attended FFDs organized by the maize team and another 709

(345M, 364F) attended those organized by the rice team. The FFDs provided an opportunity for

participants to appreciate the qualities of the technologies introduced by the project and a basis for

adoption decisions in the subsequent seasons. Media houses also publicized the events, especially for the

rice activities.

An outcome survey was completed in the current quarter. Data on the outcome indicators will be

presented in the next quarter. Regarding the output indicators, the project is on track to achieve the

targets. At least 90% of all the four output indicators have been realized by the end of Qr 3.

Key activities for the next quarter will include the following: (i) an annual project review and planning

meeting, (ii) training of farmers by all teams (iii) yield data collection and preparations for feedback

meetings, (iii) development of technology descriptions, protocols, and training materials, (iv)

development of work plans and budgets by the teams, and (v) participation in the Nane Nane agricultural

show.

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2 INTRODUCTION

2.1 Project description

Africa RISING partners are involved in identifying and developing the best performing interventions for

improving agricultural production. These are compiled into information and technology packages to be

delivered through a network of NAFAKA and other public and private sector actors, creating an

opportunity for mainstreaming into wider rural development programs. Attractive interventions in this

project include the introduction of improved crop varieties, dissemination of best-bet crop management

packages, rehabilitation and protection of natural resources, and postharvest management.

The project focus is on three crop enterprises – maize, rice, and vegetables – with postharvest handling

and nutrition as a cross-cutting theme. The key partners in the project include international agricultural

research centers (IITA, CIMMYT, CIAT, ICRAF, the World Vegetable Center (AVRDC), and one USAID-

funded project, NAFAKA. These are working in partnership with national agricultural research

institutions – ARI Dakawa leads the rice theme – and other ARIs such as Selian, KATRIN). Local

Government institutions, specifically DAICOs, and the private sector (seed companies, millers, and

processors) and NGOs are also involved. All these partners are involved to deliver on the following

objectives:

1. Introduce and promote improved and resilient varieties of food crops to farm households in a

manner that complements their on-going farm enterprises, contributes to sustainable agricultural

resource management, and offers nutritional advantages and alternative market channels.

2. Disseminate best-bet agronomic management packages around the most promising new crop

varieties suited to widely representative agro-ecological zones and market proximity.

3. Protect land and water resources and foster agricultural biodiversity through the introduction of soil and water management practices.

4. Increase food security and improve household nutrition among the most vulnerable households and

their members, especially women and children, by introducing locally adapted and nutrient-rich

vegetables.

5. Introduce and promote postharvest management technologies for maize, rice, legumes, and

selected vegetable crops to reduce losses and bring quality up to market standards.

6. Offer and expand capacity services to members of grassroots farmers’ associations, platform

partners, and development institutions in the scaling process (capacity building), paying particular

attention to the special opportunities available to women farmers as technical and nutritional

innovators and resource managers.

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2.2 Geographic Zones of Influence

The project is in Year 2. Activities were implemented in Year 1, in the regions of Manyara, Dodoma,

and Morogoro. In Year 2, the project was extended to Iringa and Mbeya regions. All five regions are in

the FtF’s ZoI (Fig. 1). Figures 2-4 show the locations of the different sites for the maize-legumes,

vegetables, postharvest, and rice activities respectively.

Figure 1: Africa RISING – NAFAKA partnership project target districts.

Figure 2: Africa RISING – NAFAKA partnership project vegetable demo sites.

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Figure 3: Africa RISING – NAFAKA partnership project maize demo sites.

Figure 4: Africa RISING – NAFAKA partnership project postharvest technologies demo sites.

5

Figure 5: Africa RISING – NAFAKA partnership project rice demo sites.

Figure 6: Africa RISING NAFAKA partnership project SRDs.

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3 IMPLEMENTATION PROGRESS

3.1 Project Management

A project team meeting was held on 18 April 2016 at SG Resort Hotel in Arusha to review progress and

plan for the rest of the year. Proceedings of the meeting are available at this link:http://africa-

rising.wikispaces.com/AR-NAFAKA_project_team_meeting-April2016. On day 2 (19 April 2016), the team visited one of the project sites in Babati and interacted with farmers, who were enthusiastic to

transfer their experiences from the project to their farm activities. Highlights of the project visit are

available at this link: http://bit.ly/29LbNig.

Furthermore, to improve project monitoring and evaluation, 18 field liaison members of staff were

trained in monitoring and evaluation from 10 districts where project activities were being implemented.

The training was also an opportunity to prepare the team for the annual outcome survey for the project

that was completed in June 2016. The training was held at the NAFAKA project offices in Morogoro, 3-

4 May 2016, and was jointly conducted by senior IITA and NAFAKA staff competent in M&E. A report

on the training activities is available at this link: http://bit.ly/2a07pxB. In addition, the project’s annual

outcome survey was conducted, targeting 572 households in the districts of Kongwa, Kiteto, Kilosa, and

Mvomero.

Participants take part in a group exercise during an M&E training

workshop held at NAFAKA offices, Morogoro, 3-4, May 2016.

(Credit: Gloriana Ndibalema/IITA)

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Project team members are also making preparations to participate under the USAID-funded projects’

banner at the Nane Nane agricultural show event that will take place in August 2016 in Morogoro. Both

Africa RISING and NAFAKA have already secured the site and planted a variety of crops (maize, legumes,

and rice). The postharvest team has also prepared the technologies that will be demonstrated.

To fine-tune scaling activities in future, sustainable recommendation domains (SRDs) for the FtF zone in

Tanzania were formulated (Fig. 6). These will be further refined (ground-truthing) through field visits and

project scientists’ input by providing information on technology attributes. As can be noted from the

figure, demo plots are located in 11 out of 20 SRDs with heavy investment in SRDs 2 and 19.

3.2 Training of Trainers

After the establishment of demo sites had been completed by the various teams, one of the main activities

during this quarter has the continued Training of Trainers (e.g., extension staff and lead farmers). For the

maize-legumes team, training was conducted by the Africa RISING-NAFAKA team for 30 lead farmers

(15M, 15F) and 12 agricultural extension staff (9 M, 3F) from Local Government. The training focused on

the proper use of fertilizer and pesticides, application methods, and handling procedures. They were also

trained on how to use GPS devices to record and report data. In addition, four members of Vijana Kazi

youth group (2M, 2F) from Msufini village (Mvomero district) were trained on the management and

application of pesticides at Ilonga Agricultural Training Institute (Kilosa district) with support from the

project. In Kongwa and Kiteto districts, 13 VBAAs (7M, 6F) were trained on soil fertility management

especially with respect to fertilizer application. For the rice team, Training of Trainers was conducted for

24 extension staff (19M, 5F) and three NAFAKA agronomists (1M, 2F). In Kilolo district, four VAEOs

and 1 VBAA, all male, were also trained on data management and reporting and how to conduct farmer

trainings. The vegetables component conducted seed multiplication training for 73 farmers from Manyara

and Dodoma regions (32M, 41F) to prepare them for seed production activities in subsequent phases of

the project and beyond. The districts from where the participants were drawn are indicated in Table 1.

Table 1:Participants of the vegetable seed multiplication training in Manyara and Dodoma regions District Village Male Female Total

Babati Maweni 7 0 7

Kiteto Kaloleni 1 9 10

Kiteto Kibaya 2 12 14

Kiteto Sunya 4 8 12

Kongwa Songambele 7 7 14

Kongwa Tubugwe 11 5 16

TOTAL 32 41 73

For the postharvest team, training was conducted on nutrition for 27 trainers (13M, 14F) who were 13

village health workers, 12 lead farmers, one home-based care provider, and one village agriculture

extension worker. They were selected from the districts of Kiteto, Kongwa, Kilosa, Mvomero, Kilolo,

and Mbozi.

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3.3 Training activities for farmers

Most of the training for farmers was conducted during the current quarter. Table 2 shows the number

of participants during the training.

Table 2: Training participants for the various project components

Team Region District Number of participants

M F Total

Maize Morogoro Mvomero 1,753 1917 3670

Kilosa 367 401 768

Dodoma Kongwa 167 105 272

Manyara Kiteto 132 111 243

Iringa Kilolo 194 114 308

Mbeya Mbozi 199 229 428

Sub-total 2,812 2,877 5,689

Rice Iringa Iringa rural 38 62 100

Morogoro Mvomero 49 61 110

Kilombero 105 118 223

Mbeya Mbarali 23 99 122

Sub-total 215 340 555

Vegetables Morogoro Kilombero 65 104 169

Iringa Iringa rural and Kilolo 73 83 156

Sub-total 138 187 325

Post-harvest Mbeya Mbozi 25 19 44

TOTAL 3,190 3,423 6,613

All the training was focused on realizing the project goals. The training in maize-legume aspects was

focused on good agronomic practices (land preparation, fertilizer types and their management, nutrient

deficiency, row planting, weed management, and record keeping). In Kongwa and Kiteto an additional

component of soil and water conservation using tied-ridges and rippers was covered. For the rice

component, the training covered aspects of appropriate site selection, field and fertilizer management

especially focusing on the management of salt-affected and calcaric soils. For vegetables, the training in

Iringa (for 139 farmers) was conducted in April 2016 on how to establish and manage nurseries. Hands-

on activities for the participants focused on land and seed bed preparation and how to raise seedlings

and establish a nursery. After the training, nine seed kits, nine watering cans, 45 seeding trays, nine hand

sprayers, nine bottles of pesticides, and nine bottles of foliar fertilizer were deployed to the trainees for

nursery establishment. In addition, 171 seed kits were handed out to the training participants. Another

training session was conducted in Iringa region in June 2016 for 156 participants to ensure the

establishment of demo plots focusing on spacing, fertilizer/manure application, and GAP/management of

the plots; the project team discussed the different cultural practices that need to be undertaken for the

maintenance and care of the demo plots. Besides soil preparation practices, farmers were also trained

on GAP, covering recommended weeding practices, proper watering and irrigation practices – including

when and how to irrigate appropriately – and recommended organic fertilizer application procedures.

In addition, the project team (vegetables) collaborated with CRS to scale up vegetable technologies in

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additional villages in Kilombero district in June 2016. In addition to the three pilot villages in Kilombero

(Misufini, Ichonde, and Kisawasawa), the team added six villages – Mahutanga, Lungongole, Nyamwezi,

Mkasu, Mhelule, and Magombela – where training on nursery management was jointly conducted. Those

six villages were selected by CRS and have received different types of support from CRS over the last

few years. During the training, farmers, public village extension officers and CRS staff were trained on

soil and seed bed preparation, preparation of media for seedlings, and nursery management. In total, 169 farmers participated in the training. All participants received seed kits for their own home gardens to

establish their own trials. In each village, one nursery was established with eight seed beds of 4 m2 each

plus eight trays (66 holes per tray). Eight vegetable crops were sown in the nurseries; tomato (Tengeru

2010 and Tanya), Africa eggplant (DB3 and Tengeru white), African nightshade (Nduruma), Ethiopian

mustard (Rungwe and Arumeru), and Jute mallow (SUD 2). For the nursery establishment nine seed kits,

nine watering cans, and 72 trays were used.

Hassan Mndiga of AVRDC training farmers in Iringa on vegetable seed

establishment. (Credit: Andreas Gramzow/AVRDC)

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Farmers in Majenje village, Mbarali district, being trained on proper fertilizer

application for rice. (Credit: Charles Chuwa/ARI-Dakawa)

Farmers in Kitete village, Kilosa district, examine a maize plant for

phosphorus deficiency. (Credit: Anthony Kimaro/ICRAF)

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For the postharvest component, farmers were introduced to, and trained on how to use, the various

technologies, notably maize shelling machines, collapsible drier cases, and hermetic storage technology.

The facilities were left with the trainees (lead farmers) after the training to process and store their maize

and legumes for food security and income generation. It is hoped that the farmers’ experiences of using

the items will then motivate them to get more machines from agro-input suppliers. The project is working

with the NAFAKA project to further facilitate access to the postharvest technologies.

Beneficiary farmers involved in postharvest activities in Itumpi village, Mbozi district, use a maize sheller

machine (left photo). Courtesy of the project, these farmers have also been trained on how to use the

PICs bags for grain storage (right photo) and they like both technologies very much! (Credit: Audifas

Gaspar/IITA)

3.4 Farmers’ Field Days

A series of field days were held by the maize team in five districts and by the rice team in four districts

as indicated (Table 3). Farmers and stakeholders (district political and technical leaders), seed companies,

processors, and the media attended the functions. Some of the highlights of the FFDs can be found here

https://spark.adobe.com/page/YECYy/ .

Table 3: Field day participants for the maize and rice activities

Team District Participants

Male Female Total

Maize Babati 325 116 441

Kongwa 101 131 232

Kiteto 142 173 315

Kilolo 288 324 612

Kilosa 83 82 165

Sub total 939 826 1,765

Rice Kilombero 117 106 223

Mbarali 46 91 137

Iringa rural 60 79 139

Mvomero 122 88 210

Subtotal 345 364 709

TOTAL 1,284 1,190 2,474

12

Field day in Kilombero district. (Credit: Charles Chuwa/ARI-

Dakawa)

Farmers in Babati district closely examine a maize variety at one

of the field days. (Credit: Fred Kizito/CIAT)

13

Farmers attending a field day in Kilolo district. (Credit: Anthony Kimaro/ICRAF)

As part of the FFD proceedings farmers informally rated the technologies that were introduced in the communities. For instance, in Babati district as part of the activities, farmers went through selected

demonstration fields and noted key performance indicators/characteristics (ranging from cobs per plant,

cob size, plant height and vigor, rows per cob, grains per row etc.). This was followed by group

discussions and ranking of the different fertilizers and varieties by the farmers. In Kongwa and Kiteto

districts, a relatively similar activity was conducted whereby farmers rated the performance of the

different maize and legume varieties, thereby tentatively selecting varieties they thought would perform

well next season in their fields.

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4 ACHIEVEMENTS AND RESULTS

General

i. The annual outcome survey covering 572 households was conducted in Kongwa, Kiteto, Kilosa,

and Mvomero districts.

ii. A project meeting for all project team members was conducted, thereby providing an opportunity for progress and plans for the rest of the year to be reviewed.

iii. Training for field liaison officers responsible for field-level coordination of project activities was

conducted, with 18 staff participating.

iv. Recommendation domains for the project were developed and these will be further refined when

data from project scientists become available as well as validation through site visits.

Maize

i. 16 extension staff (13M, 3F) and 40 lead farmers (23M, 17F) were trained to enable them facilitate

training and learning by farmers. The training was done in collaboration with NAFAKA. Linkage

was strengthened between NAFAKA/AFRICA RISING and Government extension officers and

farmers’ groups and extension officers. The linkage is important for the sustainability of the

project’s intervention.

ii. 5,689 farmers (2,812M, 2,877F) were trained in agronomic practices related to maize production.

iii. Field days involving 1,765 participants in five districts (939M, 826F) were held. These also provided

an opportunity for farmers.

Rice

i. 27 extension staff (21M, 6F) were trained in four districts.

ii. 555 farmers (215M, 340F) were trained in rice production technologies.

iii. Field days were organized in all the four project districts with 709 participants in attendance

(245M, 364F). The field days were widely publicized through the media. In addition, a number of

stakeholders from the public and private sectors attended the field days.

Vegetables

i. 73 male and female farmers in six pilot villages in Babati, Kiteto, and Kongwa districts were trained

on seed multiplication.

ii. 139 male and female farmers from six pilot villages located in Iringa rural and Kilolo districts were

trained on nursery management, soil preparation, and seedbed preparation; 52.5% were females

and 47.5% were males.

iii. 156 farmers were trained on seedling transplantation, spacing, fertilizer application, and good agricultural practices in six pilot villages in Iringa rural and Kilolo districts; 53.2% were females

and 46.8% were males.

iv. 711 seed kits were distributed to farmers from pilot villages in Kilombero, Kilolo, and Iringa rural

districts.

v. Eight demonstration plots belonging to six villages were established in Iringa rural and Kilolo

districts; six nurseries were established in six villages located in Kilombero district in

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collaboration with CRS.

Postharvest

i. 27 trainers (13M, 14F) were trained in nutrition.

ii. 44 farmers in Mbozi district (Mbeya region) were introduced to three categories of postharvest

technologies which would then form a basis for increased efforts in encouraging large-scale

adoption of these technologies through the NAFAKA project.

5 PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES

i. In Babati district (maize-legume activities), largely due to absence of NAFAKA project activities,

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no farmers’ groups are yet formed which will make it very difficult to reach farmers on time either

for input access or organized group trainings.

ii. For the rice team, due to extreme weather events, extreme levels of salt and lack of water to

wash the salt in the Magozi irrigation scheme, Iringa rural district, affected some of the demo

plots (control) but also emphasized the good attributes of the salt tolerant rice varieties selected

for promotion by the project.

Salt-affected soils with inadequate water to wash away the salt. On the right (in front of the

lady with a blue skirt) is one of the salt tolerant varieties (SATO 1) being promoted by the

project. (Credit: Charles Chuwa, ARI Dakawa)

iii. For vegetable activities, two challenges have been noted. First, in Iringa rural district, the

project team works with villages at a very high altitude (up to 2,000 m above sea level). This has

strong implication on the demo plots. Owing to heavy rainfall and soil erosion, the soils lack bio-

organic matter and minerals. The project team therefore emphasized the importance of using

organic manure to improve soil quality. Furthermore, due to the high altitude, African eggplant

seedlings in the nurseries required 6-7 weeks instead of 4-5 weeks before they could be

transplanted to the demo plots.

iv. Secondly, in the pilot villages located in Kilombero district, the project team noticed very intense

competition for labor forces during the main vegetable growing season, because vegetables in

Kilombero district are grown during the rice harvest season. Therefore, labor forces during this

17

period of time are limited. However, the interest of farmers in vegetable production was still high

so that the participation in training was sufficient. The reason for the high interest in vegetables

in Kilombero district lies in the unbalanced food diets consisting of fish and rice. The local

population is therefore eager to grow vegetables to improve the variety of food crops at home.

6 PLANNED ACTIVITIES FOR QR4, Year 2

6.1 General

i. Annual outcome data analysis.

ii. Annual review and planning meeting.

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iii. Participation of the project teams in the Nane Nane agricultural events.

iv. Review of protocols, technology descriptions, training materials, work plans, and budgets

developed by the teams.

v. Planning to incorporate deliberate behavioral change activities in the next year, drawing from

the experience of the NAFAKA project.

vi. Parameterization, calibration and validation of the Soil Water Analysis Tool (SWAT) or Agricultural Policy and Environmental Extender (APEX) models to simulate the impact of different

agronomic practices on crop yields, run-off generation, soil erosion, soil fertility, and water

conservation.

Specific activities for each team include the following:

6.2 Maize team

i. Conducting field days in remaining sites (Mvomero district).

ii. Harvesting the crops and processing the yield data.

iii. Finalizing the writing of extension materials.

iv. Developing work plans and budgets.

v. Community feedback and planning meetings.

6.3 Rice team

i. Finalizing development of training materials.

ii. Yield data collection and processing.

iii. Community briefing and planning meetings.

iv. Development of work plan and budgets.

6.4 Vegetables team

i. Selecting nine new pilot villages in Mbeya region in August/September 2016 and discussing a

concrete training approach for 20-30 more pilot villages in the Mbeya region under the

responsibility of CRS.

ii. Finalizing development of training materials and work plans.

iii. Training farmers in Iringa region.

iv. Conducting a baseline survey covering all six pilot villages located in Iringa rural and Kilolo districts,

Iringa region.

6.5 Post-harvest management and nutrition

i. Refinement of a scaling strategy for the technologies will be formulated.

ii. Training of farmers in Kilosa and Kilolo districts.

iii. Developing work plans and budgets.

7 SPECIAL ISSUES

The vegetables team has made efforts to strengthen partnerships. The six villages in Kilombero, in which

19

the project team established nurseries in collaboration with CRS, will be under the overall supervision

of CRS. However, the technical trainings will be conducted by AVRDC/HORTI Tengeru. CRS and

AVRDC plan to continue their collaboration in the Mbeya region. CRS is active in several villages located

in five districts of the Mbeya region. For project Year 3 it is planned that AVRDC will train CRS extension

staff in 6-9 pilot villages selected by AVRDC/HORTI Tengeru in the Mbeya region. The CRS extension

staff will then disseminate the training content and AVRDC seed kits to farmers from up to 30 other villages located in the Mbeya region.

Furthermore, the private seed company ‘Meru AgroTech’ bought foundation seeds of AVRDC varieties

from TOSCI/HORTI Tengeru and has already started seed multiplication. ‘Meru AgroTech’ also

multiplies maize varieties for the Africa RISING maize team and has established favorable contacts with

most of the input providers that were supported by the NAFAKA project in Morogoro, Iringa, and Mbeya

regions.

8 CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES

8.1 Gender integration

One of the key aspects on which the project is focused is to ensure participation by all community

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members (men, women and the youth). In locations such as Manyara region (Babati district), participation

of female community members was low. Youth participation in all regions was also low. As a result,

deliberate efforts have been put in place to ensure enhanced participation by these two categories of

community members. The project team strongly encouraged the village extension officers and the

chairpersons of the training groups to ensure that at least 50% of the training participants are female or

young farmers (especially males). In many villages, the project team also encouraged women to become training group leaders, and this turned out to be very successful. In general, the stronger focus of the

project team on integrating female farmers and young farmers led to favorable results. The participation

of these categories has in some locations (especially in Morogoro, Mbeya, and Iringa regions) passed the

50% mark, partly due to deliberate efforts to seek out the female and youth beneficiaries.

The vegetables team also plans to enhance participation of women and the youth for the following

reasons.

i. The project concentrates on a) vegetable cash crops for local and regional markets (e.g., tomato

and African eggplant), which are still mainly a man’s business, and on b) traditional vegetables (e.g.,

amaranth and African nightshade) to increase the diversity of food crops available for households

– mainly under female management. To reach those two goals, an equal participation of men and

women is necessary.

ii. The training sessions include also information on nutrition, the nutritional content of different

vegetable crops, vegetable preservation, and food preparation. Those lessons are also directed

to male household heads to improve their nutritional knowledge and help them to appreciate

required changes required in household diets.

iii. In most cases, men are still the owners of the land. To increase the production area for traditional

vegetables in existing farm households, men need to be informed about the marketability and the

value of nutritious vegetable crops.

8.2 Behavior change communication

During the field days and training activities for maize, rice, and post-harvest activities, deliberate group

discussions and exchange visits have been organized to ensure that farmers’ negative attitudes will change

towards some technologies such as fertilizer use and the consumption of fortified foods. The project will

draw from the efforts of the NAFAKA project to implement successful behavioral change activities aimed

at ensuring the sustained use of the technologies and innovations for improved production and nutrition

among the beneficiary communities.

For the vegetables team, during the project interventions in Kilombero, Iringa rural and Kilolo districts,

the project team noticed mainly the following changes in farmers’ behavior.

i. Seeding of vegetable crops such as African nightshade and tomato was previously done based on a very high density of seeds per area. The project team introduced farmers to other

techniques such as mixing the seeds with sand or keeping a specific space between seeds

(depending on varieties). This led to healthier seedlings and a reduced amount of seeds

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employed to produce the same number of seedlings. Farmers were therefore able to save

money and improve the quality of their seedlings.

ii. The majority of farmers, similar to our observations in Manyara and Dodoma regions, were

not aware that Jute mallow is a domesticated vegetable crop and that it can be grown even

during the off-season, when they cannot be found as a weed in maize fields. Jute mallow has

a high nutrient content and is a popular crop especially in resource-poor households. The availability of an improved jute mallow variety (SUD 2) as part of the seed kits, increases the

availability of this vegetable for farm households.

iii. The two AVRDC African eggplant varieties, DB3 and Tengeru white, which were introduced

with great success in the northern regions of Tanzania, are not the predominant varieties in

the southern regions of Tanzania. The project team observed in the pilot villages a number of

African eggplant varieties that were low yielding and had small fruits compared to DB3 and

Tengeru white. Both AVRDC varieties have seen therefore a great uptake in Kilombero

district villages and will most probably also be very successful in pilot villages located in the

Iringa region.

8.3 Environmental compliance and natural resource management

The project plans to conduct a Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safe Use Action Plan (PERSUAP) with

the NAFAKA project in the course of the year (2016). In maize based activities, GAPs for the sustainable

use of soil and water such as tied ridges in semiarid locations as well as legumes and the judicious use of

fertilizers have been a strong focus of the training and demonstration activities. Using high yielding and

more resistant crop varieties combined with improved production practices such as appropriate spacing

to increase seedling and plant health, organic fertilizers, as well as other IPM practices may reduce the

application of pesticides and chemical fertilizer which would help to reduce environmental pollution. The

rice component has likewise focused efforts on the management of salt affected and calcaric soils as a

key strategy for promoting proven innovations that will lead to their successful and sustainable use.

The vegetables team observed a high degree of soil erosion and loss of bio-organic matter in the soils of

pilot villages located at higher altitudes in the Iringa region. The project thus emphasized the importance

of using organic manure while preparing seed beds for vegetables to enrich the soil with bio-organic

matter. Furthermore, farmers were trained on how to prepare raised seed beds and apply mulching to

decrease soil erosion during heavy rainfall.

8.4 Monitoring and evaluation

During the current quarter, an annual outcome survey for the project was conducted, covering 572

households. Data will be used to report on the performance of the two outcome indicators for this project. The activity was completed close to the end of the current quarter and data analysis is not yet

complete. Thus, outcome data will be reported next quarter. All teams actively collected and submitted

data for reporting on all the output indicators and the achievements are indicated in Annex 1. In general,

the project is on track to realize the targets, despite the challenge of a change in leadership of the rice

activities which is expected to affect the realization of the set targets, especially trainees, by 20%. At

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least 90% of all set targets for output indicators have been realized with some indicators surpassed, such

as organizations worked with and number of farmers with home gardens. This is a healthy development

for the project.

9 ANNEXES

Annex 1: Performance against PMP indicators

Indicator FY

Target

FY

Achievement

% FY

Achievement

%

Female

%

Male

1. Number of farmers and others who 13,120

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have applied new technologies or

management practices as a result of

USG assistance

2. Number of hectares under improved

technologies or management practices

as a result of USG assistance

9,400

3. Number of individuals who have

received USG supported short-term

agricultural sector productivity or food

security training

10,925 10,103 92.5 49.9 50.1

4. Number of food security private

enterprises (for profit), producers’

organizations, water users’ associations,

women's groups, trade and business

associations, and community-based

organizations (CBOs) receiving USG

assistance

122 141 115.6 n.a. n.a.

5. Number of rural households benefiting

directly from USG interventions 7,200 7,057 98.0 46.9 53.1

6. Number of beneficiaries with home

gardens or alternate crops as a proxy

for access to nutritious foods and

income

200 1,643 821.5 48.1 51.9

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Annex 2: Success stories

None during the reporting period.

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NAFAKA - Quarterly Performance Report (October 1, 2015 – December 31, 2015)

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